Los Gatos to Celebrate the Fourth of July

Schedule of events

• Hometown picnic and games, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., civic center: The day begins with some good old-fashioned family fun, including games provided by Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation and TeenForce and entertainment by the Sizzling Seniors.
• Strike up the Band, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Los Gatos High School front lawn: Traditional San Jose Wind Symphony concert will begin with a flag raising ceremony and Los Gatos Mayor Barbara Spector’s welcome, followed by an afternoon of marches, popular tunes and patriotic songs. Local service men and women will be honored with an Operation Yellow Ribbon ceremony at intermission that includes the solemn reading of names of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno personnel serving in the Middle East. The flag raising and Operation Yellow Ribbon ceremonies are made possible by the Los Gatos Rotary and Boy Scout Troop 501.
  
• Yankee Doodle Dancing, 3:30-7 p.m., civic center: performance by the Peninsula Banjo Band.
  
• Red, White and Blue Barbecue, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.: BBQ favorites and cold drinks will be available for purchase from the Los Gatos Lions, Rotary, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Los Gatos Community Foundation.
  

Also taking place during the festivities is the official launch of the nonprofit Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation of Los Gatos dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and men and women service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

The foundation's board of directors consists of individuals devoted to the needs of veterans—Dr. Francis J. Harvey, former 19th Secretary of the United States Army; Gilbert Decker, former assistant secretary of the Army; retired U.S. Army Major General Kent Hillhouse and active service members and veterans from all branches of the military, town staff and private citizens. 

Hillhouse, a Vietnam veteran and Los Gatos resident, was awarded two Silver Stars for Valor along with the Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam. 

Hillhouse will be speaking on behalf of the foundation at the festivities. “A veterans memorial in our town will recognize the courage and loyalty demonstrated by the brave men and women who have fought in conflicts, cataclysmic wars and in so many ways defended the freedom that defines America,” said Hillhouse. “I am honored and proud to be a member of this important community initiative.”

The foundation will host a booth on the Civic Center lawn that will be staffed by board members who intend to share information about the foundation’s vision, goals and objectives.